LIFE’S A BEACH!
If you’ve spent the past year missing the feel of sand beneath your toes, when the world opens up to travel, finding pristine shores will be at the top of your to-do list. Here, travel editor David Wickers rounds up his pick of the globe’s best beaches…
The world’s most beautiful beaches handpicked by us and ready when you are
Devil’s Bay National Park, Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands GO FOR: ADVENTURE
Beaches are the main reason we go to the Caribbean, especially in winter when the weather at home is grim (which can also be said of much of the British ‘summer’, too!). Antigua alone has a beach for each day of the year (366 if you count the sister island of Barbuda). But if I had to single out just one, it would be Devil’s Bay on the island of Virgin Gorda. It’s utterly beautiful, of course, but getting to it is all part of the magic. From the car park at The Baths National Park, you have to follow a twisty path between (and occasionally under) an avenue of smooth, pinkish granite boulders as big as elephants, and wade through a wonderland of grottoes and pools. After the 20-minute walk (which be warned, is not for the faint-hearted), you’ll step on to the silkiest of white sands, lapped by a peppermint sea. It’s a real ‘wow!’ moment. And Devil’s Bay itself is perfect for swimming or snorkelling with its beautiful turquoise waters. Go with: Elegant Resorts (elegantresorts.co.uk)
Maldives
GO FOR: ROMANCE
In terms of topography, there’s very little to choose between the islands since they all share a remarkably similar template of a lush green heart fringed by a necklace of the purest, softest, finest, whitest sands, which, in turn, front a turquoise lagoon. All are pimple-small; on the tiniest, you can even stand on the beach and throw a Frisbee from one side of the island to the other. The differences between islands lie more in the style of resort that’s been grafted upon them. There are around 100 to choose from, some Crusoe-peaceful and unbeatably romantic, others with an abundance of facilities and a better bet for families. Some are a boat ride from the airport, others a seaplane transfer, some all-inclusive, some pay-as-you-go. All you have to do is choose one and hit the beach. Go with: Kuoni (kuoni.co.uk)
Patara Beach, near Kalkan, Turkey GO FOR: RELAXATION
We have nature and ancient history to thank for the blissful emptiness of Patara, Turkey’s longest beach, on the south coast. The beach is protected because of the presence of loggerhead turtles, which have chosen Patara as a site to lay their eggs since prehistoric times. And it’s thanks to the Romans – whose archaeological site, complete with amphitheatre and triumphal arch – that this 10-mile long expanse of dune-backed sand is, aside from a small cafe with a cluster of sunbeds and parasols, completely devoid of development. Save time in the cool of the late afternoon to explore the ruins before returning to your likely roost at Kalkan or Kas. Go with: Tui (tui.co.uk)
Bondi Beach, Sydney, Australia GO FOR: SURFING
Bondi is more than a beach – it’s an icon, and by far the most famous beach in Australia. You may not want to base yourself on Bondi – it’s a short drive or bus ride from the rest of the city – but you should definitely pay a day’s homage. If the surf’s well mannered, you might like a swim or even a surf – boards are available to rent from outlets along the seafront and lessons are easily booked. Be there in time for breakfast at the Lamrock Cafe and/or lunch at Icebergs, right above the old seawater swimming pool.
Go with: Travelbag (travelbag.co.uk)
Plettenberg Bay, Western Cape, South Africa
GO FOR: NATURE
Plettenberg, known by locals simply as Plett, is a seaside resort that sits on top of a line of cliffs overlooking a 10km-long arc of sand. It’s an essential stop if you’re travelling east along the Garden Route, from Cape Town towards Port Elizabeth.
The whole scene – the beach, the bay, the Tsitsikamma mountains plunging down to meet the deep blue Indian Ocean – is magnificent. As a bonus, between June and November, you can see whales the size of submarines frolicking in the breakers from the shore or on a boat trip. Choose your stretch of beach according to your interests: ‘Central’ for water sports, ‘Lookout’ for surfers and if you just want a swim, try the ‘Keurbooms’ lagoon. Go with: Rainbow Tours (rainbowtours.co.uk)
Holkham Beach, North Norfolk GO FOR: BRITISH BEAUTY
First, a disclaimer: I’m sure everyone reading this will feel their own favourite beach should have been named as the best in Britain. I also confess to having seen many, many miles of worthy contenders over the years, all of which could well have made the final cut. But the one that pips the others to the post, for me, is the beach at Holkham in North Norfolk. Backed by dunes and rows of pines, it’s a massive apron of sand (almost on a scale to rival the Sahara. Almost). I once timed a walk from the top of a dune to the sea at low tide; it took 22 minutes. That’s a long way to go for a swim (wait for the tide to come in), but for a bracing walk, riding a horse, flying a kite or taking your clothes off (at the official nudist end only), Holkham is really hard to beat.
Go with: Norfolk Cottages (norfolkcottages.co.uk)
Bird Island, The Seychelles GO FOR: PEACE & QUIET
You’d be hard pressed to find a beach in the Seychelles that wasn’t scenically ravishing, but rather than one of the big stars, I’m going to send you to a different island, a titch-tiny one called Bird. I once walked all the way round it, with one foot in the sea, one on the beach, and didn’t see a soul. Bird welcomes just a handful of human visitors, who stay in the one simple lodge (it has no TV or air con, but it is wonderful). It also welcomes some 80,000 sooty terns, which fly in to breed and stay for the whole summer. The island’s resident wildlife includes other avian species, turtles and giant tortoises. Go with: Audley (audleytravel.com)
Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island, The Bahamas GO FOR: PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES
There are more familiar islands that make up the Bahamas, but it is the diversity of the so-called Out Islands that make this destination unique. Harbour Island and Eleuthera are the main islands of this 110-mile long chain barely known to Brits. On Harbour Island’s eastern shore, you’ll find Pink Sands Beach, a remarkable work of nature formed by the sea-pummelled shells of microscopic marine creatures called foraminifera. The colours are at their most intense near the water’s edge, and, in my view, at their most stunning at sunrise and sunset when the contrast between the sea, sand and sky reaches its peak. Go with: Tropical Sky (tropicalsky.co.uk)
Myrtos Beach, Kefalonia, Greece GO FOR: VIEWS
You’ll probably first see Myrtos, in the northwest of the island of Kefalonia, on ‘Come to Greece’ posters and postcards. Your second sighting will be from above as you follow the main coast road and look down at the gorgeous, snow-white beach enclosed by green-backed mountains, which contrast with the many blue shades of sea. And your third encounter? The beach itself, after a hairy, 2km descent. Myrtos is Blue Flag clean but not always safe for swimming – check there’s no red flag flying. To see the beach (and the rest of Kefalonia) before making up your mind, watch Captain Corelli’s Mandolin – it was filmed on the island. Go with: Sunvil (sunvil.co.uk)
HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES WHEN BOOKING HOLIDAYS THIS YEAR?
It’s time to call in the professionals, says Susan Deer of the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA). ‘Our members can advise you on the destinations that are open to travel, and they’ll look after you every step of the way, including keeping you up-to-date on any restrictions or measures that you need to be aware of.’
Her top tips? ‘Make sure you take out comprehensive travel insurance, and book a package holiday rather than flights and hotels separately; that way your holiday will be protected under ABTA’S Package Travel Regulations.’
WHERE WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR A UK BREAK?
‘The Scottish Highlands are a must-see, with dazzling glens, shimmering lochs and endless mountain ranges,’ says tour director Will Collins, one of the local guides who works with escorted touring specialist Cosmos to provide tailormade experiences for travellers. ‘My favourite moment on a Highland tour is crossing the Great Glen, which runs across Scotland from east to west. That’s when the real Highlands emerge and the incredible scenery stretches out before you.’
The Cosmos six-day Scottish Highland Explorer tour, one of its Stay and Explore breaks, showcases the very best of the region, visiting the prehistoric Clava Cairns, the Isle of Skye, Glenfinnan Viaduct and the Great Glen.
WHAT ARE LIKELY TO BE THE BEST COVID-SAFE DESTINATIONS FOR LATER IN 2021?
Paul Charles, CEO of travel consultancy The PC Agency, says Europe is still the best bet. ‘I predict that mid-haul breaks to Europe in August and September
will be in demand as people become more confident about travelling,’ he says. ‘Perennial favourites such as Spain, France and Italy will benefit from a later summer season, but they may lose market share to the likes of Portugal and Greece, which have opened up faster this year due to lower infection rates. There will still be huge demand for space and privacy, so coastal areas and small islands will do particularly well.’
Cosmos sales and marketing director Janet Parton tips Iceland as a must-visit destination for later in the year. ‘It offers the stunning landscapes people are craving,’ she says. ‘Book from late September for a chance to see the spectacular Northern Lights.’
HOW DO YOU THINK THE PANDEMIC WILL CHANGE TRAVEL IN 2022?
‘Everyone has missed out on so many experiences that I think people will be searching and yearning for those bucket-list destinations,’ says Janet. ‘We’re already seeing a rise in bookings for Japan and safaris in South Africa. Our Rocky Mountaineer tour through the Canadian Rockies and itineraries travelling along Route 66 in the USA are also proving popular.’
Travel journalist Amanda Statham agrees. ‘Demand for holidays that offer open spaces and natural beauty will continue, such as clean and green destinations like Scandinavia, or further afield, like New Zealand,’ she says. ‘Reunion holidays will still be relevant as people seek to celebrate landmark events they had to miss during lockdown; and once-in-a-lifetime escapes, such as safaris and escorted tours to long-haul nature spots like Costa Rica and Canada, will be popular. Personally, I want to visit tranquil Mediterranean islands, such as Porquerolles off the French Riviera or Formentera, a 30-minute ferry ride from Ibiza.’
Cosmos offers expert escorted tours to more than 80 destinations worldwide. Thanks to the Cosmos Peace of Mind Travel Plan, if travel restrictions change, you can move your holiday to any 2021 or 2022 date, destination or itinerary. Discover more at cosmos.co.uk or call
0330 808 7444 to book